The Chicago Blackhawks had not played a hockey game in nearly six months.
That long, long wait was ended in style at the United Center on Thursday night, with the Hawks torching old teammate Antti Niemi for four goals in the first 9:16 of the 2017-18 season.
It started with a highlight-reel-worthy play from Patrick Kane: a blind, backhand pass that fooled everyone in a Pittsburgh uniform but set up Ryan Hartman for an easy tap-in.
Hey, remember Brandon Saad? He scored the second goal at the 7:06 mark of the first, burying a rebound after a 2-on-1 with Richard Panik.